Mazda Tribute

The individual ignition coils on the 3.0 Duratec V6 are a known weak point. Oil ingress from leaking valve cover gaskets into the spark plug wells accelerates failure.

Symptoms: Bucking and misfires under load, check engine light with P0301–P0306, power loss, rough idle

The gaskets between the intake manifold, plenum, and cylinder head become porous and cause air leaks. This triggers random misfires (P0300) and worsens engine running.

Symptoms: Rough idle, surging at mid-range rpm, random misfires, increased fuel consumption

The automatic transmission tends to overheat when towing. The cooling capacity is not adequate for the vehicle's weight class.

Symptoms: Flashing overdrive warning light when towing, harsh gear changes, transmission only shifts into lower gears

The fuel pump relay on the 3.0 V6 can fail without warning, stalling the engine. The engine cranks on starting but won't fire because no fuel is delivered. Inexpensive repair using a Ford-compatible relay.

Symptoms: Engine cranks but won't start. Spark plugs dry, no fuel smell. Can occur without warning.

As the 3.0 V6 Duratec ages, coolant hoses and connections harden and begin to leak. Both cylinder head gaskets should be checked if internal loss is suspected, as the V6 has two separate heads.

Symptoms: Dropping coolant level in the expansion tank, occasional coolant puddle under the car or steam cloud after switching off.

Recall for a throttle cable that can jam at motorway speeds and cause uncontrolled acceleration. Safety-critical — must be checked without delay.

Lower door flanges on all doors rust with paint bubbling. Roof weld spots corrode due to inadequate paint coverage. Tailgate in the area of the number plate light is also affected.

Rear shock absorbers develop leaks and lose damping fluid. The problem appears relatively early on vehicles with a high proportion of motorway use. Poor road holding is the result.

The automatic gearbox shifts roughly or with a delay, especially in the lower ratios. Reverse can often only be selected after multiple clutch presses. Expensive secondary damage potential if neglected.